CONTACT [EL NYSA]

[priorly]

[Greetings, Prophet. The Great Work Begins.]
(leave a message after the tone)

Comments

[priorly]

In the jungle? Do I look like an orangutan to you?

[ofobedience]

I'm not sure what that is, but I'm going to assume it's something undesirable.

You'd be surprised, though, how many people seem to prefer it there.

[priorly]

Unless you happen to be another orangutan.

I do know people who enjoy existing at that level of humidity. I haven't yet disowned them but I'm considering the possibility . Friends of yours have stayed?

[ofobedience]

A few people I know, yes. I did endeavour to encourage them to return, but there's no accounting for taste, I suppose.

[priorly]

I didn't say people you know. Friends. It's what it's called when they're people you know and like.

[ofobedience]

I'm not really the sort to have friends. You wouldn't call a gun your friend now, would you.

[priorly]

If you saw how terrible I am with them you'd be asking that question of the gun. Though, I'd call you a friend.

[ofobedience]

[There's a brief delay before he responds, as he takes that statement in.]

And I'd say that, knowing a little of what I am, it seems unwise. Though, once again, there's no accounting for taste. Ha ha.

[He doesn't dislike the idea. Is only confused by it.]

[priorly]

A person who was treated badly? Well, if they couldn't have friends, none of us could.

[ofobedience]

That's how you see me, is it?

[priorly]

Am I wrong?

[ofobedience]

A genetically engineered bioweapon doesn't quite count as a person, I would say. As such, the standard of treatment you'd expect to receive doesn't apply to me.

[priorly]

I see. Well, have you heard of humans? We spent millions of years evolving until we were smart enough to make guns and start wars. We're all genetically engineered bio weapons.

[ofobedience]

That's different though, isn't it? Humans are a naturally occurring phenomena, agentic subjects with a choice as to how they behave. They weren't lab created in order to fulfill one purpose, and one alone.

[priorly]

Uhuh. Who has the gun to your head right now?

[ofobedience]

No one. But it doesn't change what I am. Recent events have proven that, I think.

[priorly]

No, recent events proved you haven't noticed your circumstances have changed. I meant, who has the gun to your head making you call me?

[ofobedience]

I just wondered where you'd got to.

[priorly]

And chose to call me?

[ofobedience]

I suppose so.

[priorly]

Well, there you go. Take that choice and work up.

[ofobedience]

[There's something vaguely disconcerting about that, but for the moment he pushes it back, tries not to think on it for too long.]

It's complicated.

Anyway, I just wanted to ascertain whether you'd made it back to civilisation or chosen to live out your time here in the wilderness. Even if it does seem to be spreading at the moment, what with that greenery cropping up all over the place.

[Forgive him, he's from an scientific facility deep underground, he can't yet determine one plant from another]

[priorly]

The mistletoe? Well that's more Germanic than jungle, we needn't fear the humidity's headed here next.

[ofobedience]

Germanic, is it? I wasn't aware.

[Prior may have noticed his distinctly German accent during previous conversations, though it comes as no particular surprised to Giovanni that he was unaware of the plant's cultural relevance-- he's always been set apart from the rest of world, created in Germany yes but existing in a contained space that normal culture cannot reach. And besides, his version of Germany exists in a post-apocalyptic future, a world steeped permanently in winter thanks to the environmental crimes of their forebears-- in all likeliness he'd know nothing of the old customs even if he did lead a normal life.]

[priorly]

I think so. Most of Christmas is German, really. We just don't tell the veterans that.